That Doesn't Mean More Planes, Though

Last September, Aero-News reported that due to ongoing budget constraints brought about, in large part, by the war in Iraq, Boeing was considering closing its Long Beach, CA plant that produces the C-17 Globemaster III. Well, that's still the case... but an economic lifeline, of sorts, is being thrown to the project by Congress, as part of a $92 billion funding bill for Iraq military operations and hurricane recovery efforts.

The Long Beach Press-Telegram reports about $100 million was added to the funding bill by a subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee. The bill must still pass a full House Vote, as well as discussion in the Senate, before being put to a combined vote for the entire emergency-funding package.

Still, the funds are good news for Boeing and its suppliers, which would receive funds to continue building components for the C-17 until the military decides whether to orders new planes -- or Congress approves money for new purchases -- after a current Air Force contract for 180 Globemaster IIIs is completed in 2008.

Even if the funding is approved, however, it does not mean Congress has reversed the Defense Department's earlier position that it doesn't need more of the heavy-lifting aircraft.

"The C-17 is one of the smartest things we've done for air mobility, but before making a formal decision, we need to have more input from the Air Force. We need to see where we are maintenance-wise with the existing C-17 fleet," Rep. Bill Young, defense subcommittee chairman, told the Tacoma News-Tribune.

Originally put into service as a heavy-lift transport, C-17s have seen an increasingly varied list of roles thrust upon them of late -- including use as intensive-care hospitals to transport wounded troops, a role that will likely be increased as wars continue in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Air Force has also hinted it wants more C-17s, especially as the current fleet is being used in combat ops at a faster rate than originally planned. Buying up to seven new C-17s is at the top of the Air Force's list of "unfunded priorities" in the 2007 budget.

FMI: www.af.mil